Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: HALOPERIDOL - INJECTION (hal-oh-PAIR-ih-doll)

BRAND NAME(S): Haldol

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is used to treat symptoms of certain types of mental conditions (e.g., schizophrenia), to control movements or effects of Tourette's syndrome or to control severe behavioral problems in children.

HOW TO USE: This medication is usually administered by intramuscular injection. This medication must be used as prescribed. Do not stop using this drug suddenly without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may worsen if the medication is suddenly stopped.

SIDE EFFECTS: May cause drowsiness or blurred vision. Use caution performing tasks that require alertness. Other side effects include stomach upset, loss of appetite, headache, drooling, dry mouth, sweating, sleep disturbances or restlessness. These should subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: chest pain, aching muscles and joints, unusual bleeding or bruising, tremors, skin rash, involuntary movements of the face/ tongue/mouth (chewing movements, puckering, twitching tongue), difficulty breathing, dizziness. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular heartbeat. Use of alcohol and other sedative type medications can lead to extreme drowsiness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before you take haloperidol, tell your doctor if you have: Parkinson's disease, liver or kidney problems, heart disease, thyroid problems, blood vessel disease, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate (difficulty urinating), allergies, asthma/ emphysema/chronic bronchitis or other lung disease, a history of seizures. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, with a general anesthetic, tell your doctor that you are taking haloperidol. Limit your intake of alcohol as alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by haloperidol. Haloperidol may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Stay out of the sun and wear protective clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold. Haloperidol reduces your ability to regulate body temperature which could result in overheating or severe chilling. Do not swim in cold water. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding before taking this medication.